Twins Non-Roster Invitees Include Prospects Luke Keaschall, Andrew Morris, Cory Lewis

[Fatbat]

37 minutes ago, saviking said:

No Emmanuel Rodriguez???

He doesn’t need a non roster invite because he is on the 40 man. ….. I missed it also 🤦‍♂️

[saviking]

11 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

He doesn’t need a non roster invite because he is on the 40 man. ….. I missed it also 🤦‍♂️

Thx! 

[DocBauer]

7 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Yeah, I get it, but a guy who plays 1B and switch hits has a chance for upward mobility on this team, even if others are playing better.

The Twins off season plans are running so far in the opposite direction of improving the offense that I think they could easily get desperate looking for some power early in the season.

While I don't share your optimism, I can see where a 25yo in his 2nd season of AAA ball MIGHT take a step forward. Obviously, he plays a position where he could contribute IF he makes that step.

[DocBauer]

5 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

Has anyone seen a report on Huascar Ynoa.  Would love to see him shock us all.

It's my understanding injury issues derailed his career. I have to believe he's looked at as a RP option at this point considering the depth of SP option at St Paul currently. If Hendricks is moved to the pen, we're looking at Mathews, Morris, Raya, Lewis, Adams and maybe Nowlin...if also not moved to the pen...as options. 

[DocBauer]

5 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

Interested to see where Keaschall plays defensively with two good arms.  Would love to see him be able to play a functional centerfield. 

Right!?

He's got the athleticism to play almost anywhere. He's got experience at SS. but little at 3B. Can his arm allow him to play SOME at 3B and SS in the future? That would allow him to be a potentially better version of Castro going forward. And a healthy arm makes him that much better in the OF as well as 2B/1B. It only increases his versatility. But I'm fine if he's a 2B/1B who can also play CF/LF.

[twinstalker]

6 hours ago, stringer bell said:

The move tells me that Eeles isn't going to be the Opening Day second baseman. Everyone will have a chance to impress pretty soon. 

Well, Keaschall isn't going to be, either, but they've invited him, injury and all.  I don't think it's a big deal, but it would be nice to know the Eeles rationale.  Eeles never had a chance of starting at 2B.  He's got three years of non-40 left, and they're going to make sure he accomplishes everything in AAA at every position.  It doesn't explain Keachall, though.  My guess is that Eeles plays many, many end-of-ST games anyway.  I suppose they can more closely evaluate Keaschall's arm by having him with the big league team for ST, at least initially.

I'll bet bragging points that Eeles plays in more MLB ST games than Keaschall.  Won't bet more innings, though!

[Doctor Wu]

10 hours ago, High heat said:

Excited to see how Cory Lewis looks and for a few knuckleballs to get unleashed on some MLB hitters.  

That should be fun indeed!

[DJL44]

15 hours ago, Trov said:

What is the point of being a "non-roster" invitee versus someone like Jenkins who will not be invited to camp but get games and time at MLB level camp? I get for vets they normally have opt-out clause if they do not make MLB team, but for others I am not understanding the real importance, being the team draws from minor league camp all the time.  Is there a technical limit of players they can have at the MLB side of things? 

Eventually they run out of lockers

[Trov]

15 hours ago, stringer bell said:

With the minor league camp just down the block from the "big boys", it really doesn't make much difference who gets a Spring Training invitation any more. I guess if you are in major league camp, you will be seen by the major league coaching staff, but that is about it.

Maybe this is saying that the Twins' front office thinks otherwise about McCusker and Eeles.. McCusker and particularly Eeles are good stories, but they're probably both quite a ways from making an impact on the 2025 Twins. I really don't trust partial (or even full) season results at St. Paul. Everyone will have a chance to impress in just days.

The move tells me that Eeles isn't going to be the Opening Day second baseman. Everyone will have a chance to impress pretty soon. 

I believe the Twins see Eeles and McCusker much like the rest of the league.  Guys that have flaws and will need to vastly overcome their flaws and show there is no reason not to give them a shot.  When you are undrafted out of independent ball you need to over perform at all levels to get a true shot.  I feel Eeles did exactly that, but he is going to have to repeat this year to even get a sniff.  He was never going to break camp with team as he is not, and does not need to be on 40 man roster any time soon.  The only way he makes 40 man roster is when he makes his MLB debut.  That could happen this year if he tears up AAA again, and our 40 man roster guys either get hurt or just perform so bad you need to make a change. 

[LambchoP]

Will be nice to see Keaschal against big league pitching, but I also would have liked to see Eeles out there. With no real backup options to Miranda at 1b, I hope they give Severino one more shot to make the roster. Dude led the minors in HR in '23. Took a bit of a step back last year but still hit 24 HR I believe? This will be his third year in AAA so it might be his last chance. The strikeouts are a concern, but he's young and has the power to be a 1b/DH for us this year.

[jmlease1]

There's some interesting prospects on the NRI list. Looking forward to seeing how Morris and Lewis look on the mound. While I don't expect either to be among the first called up to start for the Twins if/when injuries or ineffectiveness strikes in the rotation, both pitched well enough last season to be legitimate options in 2025 if needed. They should be fun to track in Saint Paul.

Keaschall will be interesting. he had a great season going even while fighting the elbow injury, so I'm looking forward to seeing how his recovery has gone. I suspect that's part of why he's getting the invite: Twins may want their MLB training staff monitoring his recovery? Hitters do come back faster from TJ for sure, but I suspect we'll be seeing him at 2B and the OF mostly rather than testing his arm too much at 3B or SS.

I'm not too fussed about Eeles or McCusker or even Walker Jenkins not getting an invite to MLB camp. If Eeles keeps showing good power production to go with his other basket of hitting skills, he'll get his opportunity and more time in AAA makes sense. Same goes for McCusker, really. If he hits, he'll get a chance but he hasn't even played 30 games in AAA yet. Jenkins will be here soon: he'll start at AA and the only thing that will keep him from AAA this season is himself. I expect to see him in Saint Paul around midseason. Oodles of talent, seems to have plenty of drive and work ethic. Please stay healthy! He's doing great for a guy who is just turning 20.

[LambchoP]

The Saints look like they'll have a stacked rotation! Festa, Mathews, Adams, Raya, Lewis.... Hopefully these guys stay healthy and perform well. As we all know, you can never have too much pitching. Especially since I still believe a trade of Paddack is coming. I'm excited to see how a few fringe type NRI guys hit in Spring. Eeles, Mccusker and Severino. Not forgetting about Keirsey too. If an injury to Buck and Larnach/Wallner happens, Keirsey might be the first OF call up. I think he would be better than Martin.

[Patzky]

4 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Eventually they run out of lockers

And ABs

[MN_ExPat]

15 hours ago, Fatbat said:

He doesn’t need a non roster invite because he is on the 40 man. ….. I missed it also 🤦‍♂️

Right there with you 😄